A new chapter in local emergency medical service begins today as Sugar River EMS formally takes effect, bringing the Village of New Glarus, Town of New Glarus, Belleville and five area townships under a shared regional ambulance district.

The change marks the official start of a 10-year intergovernmental agreement that local leaders have described as a long-term plan to strengthen ambulance coverage, improve sustainability and create a more formal public structure for EMS oversight in the New Glarus and Belleville area.

For residents, the most noticeable changes may be the new name, new logo and new appearance of the ambulances. Operationally, however, Josh Wescott, deputy chief for Belleville Area EMS and now Sugar River EMS, said much of the groundwork has already been in place for months.

“On the operational side, it’s really a continuation of everything that has been happening since late December,” Wescott said. “All of the work that’s been done and the partnerships with the two fire departments, the police departments, all of that that was built out under the contract that was in place will continue.”